Posted: Thursday, March 12, 2009, 7:50 PM | 11 comments |
 

Villanova Catches A Break
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Maybe several of them, but none more important than the rim-rattling reverse lay-up from Dwayne Anderson that decided to drop through the hoop just after the horn sounded in Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

By that margin, the Wildcats beat Marquette, 76-75, and advanced to the semifinal round against Louisville on Friday night. Villanova has now won its first game in the Big East tournament for six straight years, which is even harder than it sounds.

On the possession previous to the game-winning shot, the Wildcats might have caught another break, judging by the Ron Cortes photo of Dante Cunningham's block on Jerel McNeal. Photos can be deceiving, but it looks as if Cunningham might have gotten just a little bit of McNeal along with the ball. Just a little bit.

The refs can't see everything, although they certainly tried in this game, sending the two teams to the foul line for a total of 66 free-throw attempts. That made it a game without much flow and without a clear resolution until the very end. Marquette stayed in the game, and scored 75 points, despite making just 16 field goals. The Eagles scored 33 points at the line, so maybe they got enough chances there and didn't need another.

Louisville was scarily impressive in its quarterfinal win over Providence. Can Villanova deal with the Cardinals' threesome of Terrence Williams, Earl Clark and Samrado Samuels? They did so during the regular season in the Wachovia Center, a one-point Louisville win that could easily have gone the other way. Holding them down again is a big order.

It might be that a credible game against Louisville will solidify Villanova's spot as a No. 3 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament and, better yet, get the Wildcats a home weekend to begin the tourney. Earning first and second round games at the Wachovia Center would be a huge bonus, and that might be what is on the line Friday against Louisville. Villanova doesn't necessarily have to win, but the Wildcats might have to be in the game all the way through.
Posted by BOB FORD @ 7:50 PM  Permalink | 11 comments
11
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:49 PM, 03/12/2009
    Bob, why are you singling out that possible missed call? Why no mention of the absolutely horrendous traveling call made against Corey Stokes who was clearly fouled several minutes earlier? Why do I get the feeling that this wouldn't be your storyline if the Hawks were playing this game? Doesn't matter. Survive and advance.
    — There He Is
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:17 PM, 03/12/2009
    Breaks tend to even themselves out. This writer, like most PNI writers, is looking to increase the visibility of his by-line. This is a non-story.
    — amblereagles
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:39 PM, 03/12/2009
    Agree with There He Is - Villanova catches a break after Marquette hits 33 free throws? How about Villanova fought back and with no timeouts sunk the winning basket as time expired? Most home town newspapers would cover it that way.
    — dcardone
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:50 PM, 03/12/2009
    Take off your fan glasses and simply understand what we're saying here is that breaks happen throughout a game and, at the end of a tight, important game, Villanova got the final two. That's not a knock on the Wildcats. It's just the way it went. Calm down.
    — Bob Ford
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:26 AM, 03/13/2009
    Bob Ford IS the real mack daddy. Gonzo's just a wanna be mack daddy.
    — Gino D.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:03 AM, 03/13/2009
    I love it when the actual writers respond to the comments. Makes this message board much more entertaining. I would argue that if 'Nova wins the Big East tourney they deserve a 2 seed, especially with OK losing early yesterday. But seeds don't matter as much as playing in Philly the first weekend.
    — mjschorn
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:47 AM, 03/13/2009
    Hey Bob, we have a nationally ranked basketball team in our own backyard: Villanova. I know you're resentful that it's not Temple or St. Joe's. It's Villanova. So how about we just go along for the ride and enjoy it? Villanova is a great team. Don't be so angry about it.
    — chrissmith
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:37 AM, 03/13/2009
    Nova is a lock for a 3 seed and first weekend in philly with last night's win.
    — mattymo
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:37 PM, 03/13/2009
    THe 'Cats almost let this one get away from them. Blowing a 16 point half time lead is of great concern, although Marquette just kept making those three point shots and free throws. But, a win is a win. Let's leave it at that.
    — samlh
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:03 PM, 03/13/2009
    Regardless of outcome, it was unfortunate the officials had to assert themselves in what 'would' have been a fun to watch battle between 2 solid teams. The benefit (or lack thereof) of calls went both ways.
    — johnnyutah97


11 comments
About Bob Ford
Bob Ford has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 1981, and is still trying to figure it all out. A former beat writer covering the Phillies and the 76ers, Ford became a general sports columnist for the Inquirer in 2003, following in and occasionally falling in the deep footsteps of Bill Lyon, Frank Dolson and many distinguished others. He comes to the Philly.com blogosphere after award-winning success as designer/editor of the fabulous Pen & Pencil Club softball blog. Likes: Palestra, inside-the-park home runs, sunny days. Dislikes: phony people, cloudy days, rewrites.
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